Warren Kansley
Warren Kansley is a South African FMCG route-to-market strategist with over two decades of hands-on experience driving brand expansion across retail in the Western Cape and, more recently, nationally. His career spans merchandising, sales leadership, buyer engagement, and large-scale retail rollouts, giving him a rare, comprehensive understanding of what it takes for brands to thrive in competitive retail environments.
Operating at the intersection of strategy and execution, Warren is recognized for helping emerging brands navigate complex retail landscapes and achieve lasting market success.
Having worked across multiple retail categories, including food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise, Warren combines strategic insight with shelf-level expertise. He began his career as a merchandiser, gaining first-hand shop floor experience before progressing through sales and management roles, providing him with a practical understanding of retail operations from in-store execution to national sales strategy.
Throughout his career, Warren has worked with leading brands such as Revlon, SC Johnson, National Brands, Procter & Gamble, Lindt, Duracell, and Nestlé, to name a few, gaining deep insights into buyer expectations, category management, and the operational discipline required to grow brands successfully in-store.
Through Ikigai Zenith, he partners with brand owners to unlock retail opportunities, manage buyer relationships, improve distribution, and drive structured national expansion. His approach ensures that commercial strategies translate into measurable retail presence, bridging the gap between planning and execution.